If you’re looking for words to describe someone who volunteers, whether in charitable pursuits, at work or otherwise, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ve provided a list of synonyms for the noun form of “volunteer” that you can use to describe someone willing to work for the good of others.
So, read on!
Words for a Volunteer
- Participant
- Altruist
- Enlistee
- Contributor
- Good Samaritan
- Humanitarian
- Patient
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- An “altruist” is someone who acts for the benefit of others and for no personal gain whatsoever.
- You can call someone who volunteers a “participant,” especially where they actively assist in a project or shared goal.
- An “enlistee” is someone who voluntarily joins the military of their country.
Keep reading! In the next section, we’ll discuss 3 words to describe volunteering in more detail.
Moreover, we’ll show you how to use each of our chosen synonyms in some helpful example sentences.
Altruist
The Cambridge Dictionary defines an “altruist” as “a person who cares about others and helps them despite not gaining anything by doing this.”
Therefore, “altruist” is a great word to describe a dedicated volunteer who is always keen to uplift their community.
In addition, it describes someone who commits themselves to unpaid labor for the benefit of their society.
An “altruist” is motivated not by any monetary gain but by their inherent love for their fellow man and desire to help others.
Therefore, you can use the word “altruist” when you are describing any person with humanitarian pursuits.
This could be a Church volunteer or a member of any other charitable organization.
Have a look at how we’ve used this term in a couple of example sentences:
He is an altruist in every sense of the word, and I often have to remind him that charity starts at home.
It is impossible for a person of this immeasurable wealth to be considered an altruist. You cannot gain that kind of money in any way that is not exploitative.
Participant
A great volunteer is one who actively participates in projects or schemes for the upliftment of other people and the development of their community.
Therefore, you can use the term “participant” as another word for “volunteer” on your resume.
After all, when you describe the volunteer work you’ve done, it’s important to be clear about your contributions while remaining humble.
Volunteering isn’t about boosting your own ego or employability. You should participate for the sake of doing good!
Employers with humanitarian goals will be sure to consider your phrasing carefully when you talk about your volunteer experience.
Thus, “participant” is a better phrase than “altruist” for a CV or job application, as it comes across as far less self-aggrandizing.
Consider the examples below:
I was an active participant in the Illinois can collection week in 2021.
I would be an enthusiastic participant in any pro bono work that the firm is willing to offer me.
Enlistee
Dictionary.com defines an “enlistee” as “a person who enlists for military service.”
To “enlist” in something means to join it voluntarily.
Therefore, this term is slightly more specific, as we generally use it only to refer to someone who has voluntarily joined the armed forces (as opposed to being drafted.)
Nonetheless, “enlistee” is a direct synonym for “volunteer” in a military context.
In fact, an “enlistee” can even describe a good volunteer who has an interest in serving their country and its security.
Let’s see some example sentences that include this term:
I entrusted this information to a young enlistee who showed promise during training.
The sergeant is the highest-ranking officer among every enlistee here. I believe we have no choice but to heed her commands.